Africa: Road Transport

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking, in addition to investment in African road transport infrastructure, to improve investment in road transport knowledge and skills in Africa.

Baroness Amos: DfID is working with the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa, development banks and national Governments to ensure that design and implementation of infrastructure programmes follow best practice. The department has invested substantial funds in developing guidelines in infrastructure provision, road safety, use of local materials and private sector involvement. An example is DfID's support to the global Transport Knowledge Partnership (gTKP) between donors and developing country partners to support and promote improved access to existing knowledge on transport for developing countries. The aim is to empower decision-makers to invest in transport towards a more sustainable future and help achieve the millennium development goals. The initial focus is on roads and road transport, principally in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Further information on the gTKP can be obtained at www.gtkp.com.
	Through gTKP and our membership of other institutions such as the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) we are working with other donors and development banks to strengthen transport programmes so they can deliver affordable and sustainable improvements to road infrastructure and transport in sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa: Road Transport

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to encourage developing nations in Africa to establish recognised standards for professional driver training or licensing.

Baroness Amos: DfID recognises the important contribution that improving standards for professional driver training and licensing in Africa can make to reducing road-related death or injury. We address this through wider support to a range of road safety and transport initiatives. This includes our support to the Global Road Safety Partnership, which, among other activities, provides support to driver training and licensing programmes. DfID has also established a global Transport Knowledge Partnership, which will help develop sustainable and efficient transport in developing and transition countries. The partnership will disseminate good practice to transport practitioners and policymakers in these countries.
	DfID also funds a number of multilateral initiatives in this area, including the World Bank's guide to good practice in road safety and road safety modules in the World Bank's road maintenance programme.
	At the country level, DfID activity has included support for Ghana's National Commission on Road Safety and Bangladesh's Roads and Highways Department's road safety cell.

Arms Trade

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have evidence that licensed British exports of weapons and ammunition have been reaching both sides in the current internal fighting in Sri Lanka, or criminal organisations in Bangladesh; and, if so, what remedies they propose.

Lord Triesman: We monitor the supply of arms and weaponry through export controls. Criterion 7 of the consolidated criteria requires the Government to,
	"pay particular attention for the need to avoid diversion of UK exports to terrorist organisations".
	We consider carefully the end users of any such equipment. We would not approve any licence where the end user was a proscribed organisation.
	We know of no British exports of military equipment being used in the Sri Lanka conflict other than those licensed and exported under export control procedures for the security forces. Similarly, we are not aware that weapons or ammunition exported from the United Kingdom are reaching criminal organisations in Bangladesh.

Belarus: President Lukashenko

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether asset or travel restrictions are in place in the United Kingdom in respect of President Lukashenko of Belarus and his close associates; and whether they have made an assessment of recent action by the United States Treasury Department in this connection.

Lord Triesman: Following the assessment of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights international election observation mission that the Belarus election failed to meet the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's standards for democratic elections, EU Foreign Ministers agreed on 10 April 2006 to impose a travel ban against 31 individuals deemed responsible for the fraudulent presidential election in March and the subsequent crackdown on the opposition. On 18 May, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to impose further restrictive measures in the form of assets freezes on 36 individuals, including five people subject to earlier travel bans as a result of their involvement in the disappearance of opponents of the regime in 1999 to 2000 and the fraudulent parliamentary elections of 2004. Both the travel ban and assets freeze lists include Lukashenko.
	Throughout the period leading up to and following the 19 March presidential election, the EU has worked in close partnership with the US to ensure that a strong and joined-up message is sent to the Belarusian regime. The US declared at the recent EU-US summit on 22 June that this unified approach is a,
	"good example of our broad co-operation and co-ordination".
	The EU and the US will continue to synchronise our measures and policies towards Belarus.

Biodiversity: Acoustic Porpoise Deterrent Devices

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether acoustic porpoise deterrent devices are an important tool in protecting biodiversity; and
	Whether they have taken steps to promote the use of acoustic porpoise deterrent devices by fisherman; and, if so, what trade measures are in place, or being considered, to promote fishing practice that protects biodiversity in British waters.

Lord Rooker: The UK Government have identified the potential benefits of acoustic devices such as pingers in reducing bycatch in fixed-gear fisheries and have argued successfully for these devices to be required in certain fisheries by EU legislation. Prior to enforcing the use of pingers under Council Regulation EC 812/2004, the UK Government want to ensure that those we recommend to be used are safe and cost-effective for the industry and offer the maximum protection to porpoises.
	We are awaiting a report from the Commission on the outcome of a technical meeting recently held in Brussels to consider trials of available pingers by the UK and other member states. Any further action will be informed by this.

Biodiversity: Sandeels

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, since 2000, they have updated an environmental impact assessment of the impact of catching species low in the food chain, such as sandeels, on marine life in general.

Lord Rooker: Fish stocks in EU waters are assessed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The ecosystem effects of industrial fisheries were considered by the ICES Advisory Committee on Ecosystems in 2003 and 2004.
	The effects of variation in the stocks of species low in the food chain on other marine life are poorly understood. However, much of the variation in mortality and recruitment that occurs is believed to be determined by natural causes rather than by fishing.
	There remains relatively little information on the effects of fisheries targeting these stocks such as sandeel, Norway pout, and sprat, and further analysis of the ecological impacts is needed. Defra is continuing to fund research in this area. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science is carrying out a major impact assessment of the sandeels fishery off the coast of eastern England. This is due to be completed in March 2007.

Birds: Imports

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What extra resources have been required in the United Kingdom to enforce the ban on the import of captive wild birds into the European Union from third countries since October 2005; and
	Whether any costs have been incurred in the detection and prevention of smuggling of captive wild birds into the United Kingdom since October 2005; and, if so, what those costs have been; and
	Whether, in order to implement and monitor the ban on imports of captive wild birds, it has been necessary to recruit more wildlife enforcement officers, customs officers and state veterinarians or to extend the working hours of current employees.

Lord Rooker: The introduction of the ban on the import of captive wild birds has had no significant effect on resources, costs or employment.

Birds: Sale

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have held with the Governments of Denmark and Sweden about legislation in those countries banning the holding or sale of certain species of wild birds.

Lord Rooker: No such discussions have been held. Issues such as these are primarily discussed at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) through representatives from all European member states.

Bulgaria: Religious Freedom

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Triesman on 15 June (WA 36), whether they intend to make representations to the Government of Bulgaria over the treatment of the Alternate Synod of the Orthodox Church in Bulgaria.

Lord Triesman: As I stated in my reply to the noble Lord on 15 June (Official Report, col. WA 36), we have no plans to raise this issue with the Government of Bulgaria.

Contaminated Blood Products: Hepatitis C

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the answers by the Lord Warner on 24 May (Official Report, cols. 824–26) on contaminated blood products: hepatitis C, whether they will arrange for access by the Haemophilia Society to the official documents about contaminated National Health Service blood products reported to have been destroyed in the Department of Health, copies of which have recently been made available to the department by Blackett, Hart and Pratt Solicitors.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health has commissioned an independent analysis of the documents to which my noble friend refers. Once this has been carried out, we will consider which of the documents can be released.

Environmental Protection: Marine Species

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will support new proposals on the future protection of the worldwide marine environment and ecosystems following the recent United Nations-sponsored meeting in New York.

Lord Triesman: The UK, along with other EU member states, played a leading role at the recent meeting of the UN's consultative process on oceans in promoting an ecosystem approach to oceans management. We will also be working with EU colleagues to ensure that the outcome of the meeting and actions on associated issues are developed further and incorporated into the UN General Assembly's oceans and fisheries resolutions in the autumn. These will include issues such as conservation of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction: sustainable fisheries (including targeted action on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) and destructive fisheries practices.
	The United Kingdom is committed to carrying forward an ecosystem approach in our own waters and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is consulting on proposals for a Marine Bill.

EU: Council of Ministers

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will launch a new initiative to coincide with the start of the Finnish European Union presidency on 1 July to promote open public hearings of the Council of Ministers in its legislative mode, coupled with briefings for the public on these procedures.

Lord Triesman: An overall policy on transparency was agreed at the June European Council. The Government will want to consider any further initiatives in the light of how the Finnish presidency implements this policy in practice, and taking full account of the review in six months which will assess the impact of the policy on the effectiveness of the Council.

EU: Legislation

Lord Stevens of Ludgate: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much of all United Kingdom legislation has its origins in European Union legislation.

Lord Triesman: The UK welcomes the European Commission's continued commitment to the better regulation agenda in particular its rolling programme to simplify existing legislation and the withdrawal so far of around 70 pending proposals. The Government also welcome the European Council invitation to the Commission to make proposals by 2007 on how to reduce administrative burdens on business by 25 per cent.
	We estimate that around half of all UK legislation with an impact on business, charities and the voluntary sector stems from legislation agreed by Ministers in Brussels. Parliamentary analysis of UK statutory instruments implemented annually under the European Communities Act suggests that on average around 9 per cent of all statutory instruments originate in Brussels.

Fuel Duty

Baroness Miller of Hendon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 15 June (Official Report, col. 321) stating that "fuel duty has remained frozen since 1 October 2003", what was the amount of VAT paid or payable on the retail price of (a) petrol; (b) oil (including domestic fuel oil); and (c) gas and electricity in the first quarter of 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Historical fuel prices can be found in Quarterly Energy Prices, published by the Department for Trade and Industry and available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy–prices/index.shtml. The DTI does not publish quarterly domestic gas and electricity prices but publishes annual figures and quarterly indexed values. The VAT on petrol is 17.5 per cent, whereas for domestic-burning oil, gas and electricity it is set at 5 per cent.

Health: Zoonoses

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 5 June (WA 151–52), what other sorts of zoonotic disease besides infectious intestinal disease they consider to be commonly under-ascertained.

Lord Rooker: Rates of under-ascertainment vary considerably for different infectious diseases. These rates depend on a range of factors, including the severity and duration of symptoms and their precise nature. Diseases with non-specific symptoms that are resolved without the need for treatment or before a definitive diagnosis is achieved may go unreported.
	With regard to zoonotic diseases in animals, we would expect no under-ascertainment in livestock of exotic notifiable diseases, such as avian influenza, rabies or brucellosis, due to the severity of the illness that follows infection. We would expect very little under-ascertainment in livestock of endemic diseases, such as anthrax, bovine tuberculosis and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, because of ongoing surveillance. There is likely to be considerable under-ascertainment of other endemic diseases in animals.
	Toxoplasmosis is among the zoonotic diseases commonly under-ascertained in the United Kingdom because typical symptoms resemble a mild to moderate flu-like or glandular fever-like illness that usually resolves without treatment within a few weeks from first onset. Lyme disease is also likely to be under-ascertained because infection commonly results in either no symptoms or mild symptoms which resolve without the need for treatment.

Health: Zoonoses

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of diagnosed cases of salmonella and campylobacter were contracted from animals; and what they estimate to be the true proportion of cases attributable to zoonotic disease.

Lord Rooker: These data are not available. Most cases of campylobacter and salmonella infection in humans are sporadic and it is not therefore possible to identify the route of transmission.
	Several case control studies of sporadic cases of campylobacter carried out by different groups and in different countries have shown that, in children, the risk of campylobacter infection was increased in those who had contact with a puppy or kitten who had diarrhoea.
	Outbreaks of gastrointestinal infection are investigated to identify the cause and implement control measures therefore the most likely route of transmission is often known.
	Between 2001 and 2005, there were 227 outbreaks of salmonellosis. However, none of these was due to direct contact with animals. Outbreaks of campylobacter are uncommon, and one of the 36 outbreaks in the same period was due to direct contact with animals.

Health: Zoonoses

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 5 June (WA 151–52) about the under-ascertainment of infectious intestinal disease, whether (a) a study of exotic pet animals in the community and potential related zoonoses; and (b) a study of the zoonotic microbiology of imported animals would be of benefit to public health.

Lord Rooker: Veterinary surveillance systems for pet cats and dogs have been enhanced through the Dog and Cat Travel and Risk Information (DACTARI) scheme, which looks at the risk of exotic diseases being imported into the UK through these animals. Existing controls, including rabies quarantine arrangements, provide information on exotic diseases imported via mammals, including some mammals destined for zoos, subjected to such controls. Part of the reappraisal of rabies import controls involves looking at the risk of exotic diseases in addition to those parasites for which we have current controls under the pet travel scheme. Defra also takes account of the information collected by private vets and reported in journals.
	Defra works closely with the Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency in assessing the risks and sources of zoonotic agents. This helps to inform where the resources are best used. There are no current proposals for further studies of zoonotic agents in imported animals and exotic pets.

Ireland: Human Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of the Republic of Ireland about their record in the field of human rights.

Lord Triesman: No recent representations have been made to the Government of Ireland about their record in the field of human rights.

Malawi: Malnutrition

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking (a) bilaterally, and (b) with international partners to tackle malnutrition in Malawi.

Baroness Amos: The Department for International Development (DfID) has provided both emergency and longer-term support to tackle malnutrition in Malawi. In 2005, DfID was the largest contributor (over £20 million) to a humanitarian food-aid operation that fed 5 million people affected by a severe drought. DfID worked closely with the EU, the US and the World Food Programme, and through UNICEF supported malnutrition rehabilitation units.
	DfID supports ongoing programmes for orphans and vulnerable children to support families and institutions caring for and feeding orphans. These programmes are managed by Malawi's National AIDS Commission operations and are supported financially by a number of donors through a pooled fund. To address the underlying problems of hunger and poverty, DfID is promoting new approaches to agriculture and social protection in Malawi.

Mountains: Deaths

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people lost their lives on United Kingdom mountains in each of the past five years.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Figures are not held centrally by Her Majesty's Government, but, according to the charity Mountain Rescue England and Wales, the figures are:
	
		
			 Year Fatalities 
			 2004 25 
			 2003 33 
			 2002 23 
			 2001 18 
			 2000 19 
		
	
	Figures are not held centrally for Scotland or Northern Ireland and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

NHS: Dentistry

Lord Colwyn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of (a) new general dental services contracts; and (b) new personal dental services agreements signed (i) are currently the subject of primary care trust internal dispute resolution procedures; or (ii) have been referred to the National Health Service Litigation Authority.

Lord Warner: Management information collected in April 2006 from primary care trusts showed that 2,884 contracts and agreements had been initially signed in dispute. This represented 33 per cent of all signed contracts. The National Health Service Litigation Authority advises that by 19 June 2006, 631, or 22 per cent, of disputed contracts had been referred to the authority. The authority had accepted 116 of these, or just over 4 per cent, for national resolution. The remainder are on hold pending the outcome of local dispute resolution procedures.
	Dentists continue to provide NHS services where a contract has been signed, whether or not it was signed in dispute. Only if the dentist eventually rejects the resolution would the service cease and the primary care trust re-commission the service from another dentist. The facility to sign contracts in dispute was specifically designed to ensure that service to patients continues uninterrupted while disputes are resolved.

NHS: Urgent Appointments

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to improve the system of urgent appointments operated by National Health Service hospitals, including foundation trusts, to make it easier for patients to change appointments which they are unable to attend; and
	What plans they have to improve the telephone system operated by National Health Service hospitals, including foundation trusts, to make it easier for patients to change appointments which they are unable to attend.

Lord Warner: A national appointments line service has been put in place, operated by NHS Direct, to enable patients whose appointments are being made through the "Choose and Book" system to make or amend hospital appointments. As "Choose and Book" utilisation continues to grow, more and more patients will be able to access the service.
	Individual providers remain responsible for making appropriate arrangements for patients to change appointments, including telephone arrangements.

Northern Ireland Events Company

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In each of the past five financial years, how much funding has been provided to the Northern Ireland Events Company; on what date; for what purpose; and after what process.

Lord Rooker: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has provided the NIEC with funding as shown in the tables below for the years 2001–02 to 2005–06.
	
		Exchequer Funding
		
			 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
			 £1.6 million £1.6 million £2,453,503 £1.8 million £2.9 million 
		
	
	
		Executive Programme Funds (EPF) for Events Growth Fund
		
			 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
			 — £422,455 — — — 
		
	
	
		Festivals Funding
		
			 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
			 — — — £90,000 — 
		
	
	The purpose of this funding was to enable the NIEC to support the promotion of events in Northern Ireland which impact positively on its image, create opportunities for social cohesion and bring direct or indirect benefits to Northern Ireland.
	Decisions taken by Ministers as part of the normal budgeting process include in-year monitoring rounds for additional funding.

Northern Ireland: Economic Development Forum

Baroness Harris of Richmond: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the Economic Development Forum (EDF) for Northern Ireland has cost (a) since its formation; and (b) in the past financial year; what the EDF has achieved since its formation; what steps are being taken to encourage the further engagement of the private sector; and whether they will consider the appointment of an independent chairman.

Lord Rooker: The cost of supporting the Economic Development Forum from the financial year 2002–03 to the present is £82,577. The cost in the past financial year, 2005–06, was £15,621. In addition, the ongoing work of the EDF secretariat requires two-thirds of a staff officer's time.
	Forum members represent a broad range of interests and have discussed and reached a consensus on a wide variety of key issues and challenges facing the Northern Ireland economy. In particular, members of the forum were fully involved in the development of the economic vision for Northern Ireland and play a key role in challenging all partners to contribute to its delivery. To assist in identifying and prioritising the key issues to be addressed the forum established four sub-groups aligned to the vision's four productivity drivers: innovation, enterprise, skills and infrastructure. These sub-groups have met 32 times.
	Minutes of forum meetings are available on the forum's website at www.edfni.com.
	Private-sector views on the forum are represented by the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors, the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, the North West Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Northern Ireland Centre for Competitiveness. In addition, forum members have co-opted representatives from the private sector to the four vision sub-groups. Outside the EDF the department engages with a wide range of private sector stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
	The chair of the forum is the Minister with responsibility for enterprise, trade and investment. Members of the forum have not raised the need for an independent chair and this is not under consideration.

Official Travel: Carbon Emission Offsets

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the scheme to enable government departments to offset the carbon impacts of their air travel operates across all departments; and whether all departments have implemented and commenced use of the scheme.

Lord Rooker: All central government departments are meeting the commitment to offset all ministerial and official air travel from 1 April 2006. Most departments are participating in the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund. One exception is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which has established its own departmental offsetting fund using the same method of offsetting. The other exception is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which has recently declared its intention to establish its own scheme with partner organisations and cultural institutions.

Palestine: Funding

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in establishing a temporary financial mechanism to help external donors to meet the needs of Palestinian civilians; when they expect this system to be fully functioning; who will be the direct beneficiaries of it; and whether bank transfers of funds to Palestine remain blocked.

Baroness Amos: The quartet agreed to the idea of a temporary international mechanism on 9 May. On 16 June, the European Council announced an internationally agreed temporary mechanism for Palestinians' basic needs. The European Commission is urgently taking this forward and expects payments to front-line health workers to begin by mid-July.
	The mechanism will provide support in three areas: essential supplies and basic allowances to healthcare service providers; support for the uninterrupted supply of utilities, including fuel; and basic needs allowances to meet the essential needs of the poorest segments of the population.
	The Palestinian Authority's single treasury account, currently held with commercial banks operating in the Palestinian territories, remains frozen. This is a result of US anti-terrorism legislation. However, business between commercial banks and the Palestinian private sector continues.

Palestine: Funding

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 22 June (WA 108), when they expect the European Commission to implement the technical steps required to ensure that the financial mechanism can operate to relieve Palestinian basic needs; and whether a bridging financial provision will be provided in the event of delay.

Baroness Amos: The European Commission has already started implementing the technical steps required so that emergency assistance for Palestinian basic needs can begin through the temporary international mechanism. DfID is contributing expertise to a team working urgently on these preparations in the Occupied Territories. Ensuring that this mechanism delivers as soon as possible is the main focus of current work. There is a risk that diverting effort away from this work to create a bridging mechanism would introduce delays.

Palestine: Humanitarian Supplies

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the existing World Bank Trust Fund for Palestine is not being used for urgent humanitarian supplies and for the salaries of education and health workers.

Baroness Amos: Until Hamas meets the three principles set out in the quartet statement of 30 January (recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations) direct financial and technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority cannot be resumed. As the World Bank Trust Fund made payments directly into the Palestinian Authority's single treasury account, it is not possible to use this instrument at present. However, development assistance continues outside the Palestinian Authority. The EU is working with the World Bank urgently to set up a temporary international mechanism to meet Palestinian basic needs. This will include payment of allowances to front-line health workers. Many donors, including the UK, are planning to channel money through this mechanism.

Revenue and Customs: Travellers' Allowances

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many individuals were (a) charged with, and (b) successfully prosecuted for failing to declare and pay the necessary tax and duty on goods brought into the United Kingdom over the normal travellers' allowance in each of the past 10 years; and what is the maximum penalty for committing an offence of this nature.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: In 2005 there were 224 prosecutions and 163 convictions for failing to declare and pay the necessary tax and duty. For the year to 21 June 2006 the numbers for prosecutions and convictions are 107 and 58 respectively. Complete data from previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It should be noted that, due to the timescale of bringing cases to court, the figures for convictions in any one year cannot be related to the figure for prosecutions in the same year.
	The maximum penalty for the fraudulent evasion or attempted evasion of duty chargeable on goods is seven years' imprisonment.

Rally Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What public funds have been offered to Rally Ireland to date; from what sources; whether a business case for funding has been submitted; and, if so, by whom it was assessed.

Lord Rooker: Rally Ireland received a funding offer of a capped shortfall of up to £377,000 for the October 2005 pilot event. The Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) commissioned a feasibility study followed by an economic appraisal. NIEC sought and obtained approval from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) for this expenditure. An internal assessment of the case for funding was conducted by DCAL before approval was given.
	The subsequent trial event in March 2006 received a funding offer of a capped shortfall of up to £700,000. A business case in support of this funding was approved by both DCAL and the Department of Finance and Personnel.

Rally Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the Northern Ireland representation on the board of Rally Ireland.

Lord Rooker: Northern Ireland has no representation on the board of Rally Ireland.

Rally Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether funding was provided to Rally Ireland on the basis of matching private sector sponsorship.

Lord Rooker: Both the October 2005 and March 2006 events were funded on a 50/50 basis by the Northern Ireland Events Company and Failte Ireland. There was no private sector sponsorship and limited non-public-sector income; that is to say, ticket sales, programme sales, et cetera.

Taxation: Inheritance Tax

Lord Goodlad: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of their decision to amend the provisions of Schedule 20 to the Finance (No. 2) Bill so as to reinstate inheritance tax exemption for widows and widowers who receive property in trusts established under their spouses' wills or on intestacy, they will now consider granting parallel exemption for widows and widowers who succeed on their spouses' death to property in trusts established prior to the budget under which the deceased spouse has at all times between 22 March and his or her death held an interest in possession.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Finance Bill amendments tabled by the Government ensure that the legislation accurately reflects their intentions on how the new rules for trusts will operate. Further details on government amendments are provided in the accompanying notes, available at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consultations–and–legislation/leg–finance–2006/finance–bill–index2006.cfm.

Taxation: VAT

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cost in 2005-06 of refunding VAT under Section 33 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 to (a) the BBC; (b) ITN; and (c) Sky News.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 does not permit HM Revenue and Customs to disclose information relating to the tax affairs of individual taxpayers.

Transport: Environmentally Friendly Fuels

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage and what number of vehicles purchased by them and other statutory agencies in the current year will be propelled by (a) dual-fuels; (b) electricity; (c) liquid petroleum gas; (d) bio-diesel; and (e) other non-polluting systems; and whether they expect the proportion to rise in subsequent years.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) planned vehicle purchase for the current year, subject to any new requirements, is as follows:
	
		
			 Fuel Number Percentage of GCDA Fleet 
			 (a) Dual fuel 4 2.09 
			 (b) Electricity 0 0.00 
			 (c) LPG 0 0.00 
			 (d) Biodiesel 30 15.71 
			 (e) Other (including hybrids)* 26 13.61 
		
	
	* 13 light commercial vehicles and 17 saloon cars.
	For subsequent years a similar pattern is expected, subject to new technology and availability.
	Data on vehicle purchases by individual departments are not collected centrally.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much funding has been given to (a) the Irish Language Agency; and (b) the Ulster-Scots Agency in each of the past five years; and, if the level of funding is different, why.

Lord Rooker: The budgets allocated to Foras na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Agency) and the Ulster-Scots Agency by DCAL in each of the past five years are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million £ million 
			 Year Foras na Gaeilge(Irish Language Agency) Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (Ulster-Scots Agency) 
			 2002 2.64 1.07 
			 2003 2.850 1.155 
			 2004 3.225 1.338 
			 2005 3.242 1.357 
			 2006 3.485 1.610 
		
	
	These figures are based on the calendar year.
	The funding provided to each reflects their differing ranges of projects, programmes and supported organisations, and is determined on the basis of the approved actions in their respective annual business plans.

Water Supply: Abstraction

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information farmers are required to gather to enable the completion of abstraction licence application forms in respect of the Water Act 2003 and the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/641).

Lord Rooker: The information required to support an abstraction licence application will vary on a site-specific basis, since the likely effect of a proposed abstraction on water resources and the environment will depend on its location. The Environment Agency will provide guidance on the information required to support an application prior to an application being made.

Water Supply: Consumption

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much water in total and per occupant in cubic metres was consumed in the headquarters of the Department for Education and Skills in each of the past 10 years.

Lord Adonis: A complete answer cannot be provided, as records have been kept only since 2002, when the sustainable development in government annual report was introduced. Information for 2005–06 is not yet available but the following information is available.
	
		Water consumed in total
		
			  
			 2002–03 66,947 m3 
			 2003–04 59,150 m3 
			 2004–05 59,475 m3 
		
	
	
		Water consumed per occupant (1)
		
			  
			 2002–03 10.1 m3 
			 2003–04 10.07 m3 
			 2004–05 10.19 m3 
		
	
	(1) Based on estimated average number of occupants per year.

Zimbabwe: AIDS

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide significant assistance to help deal with the issue of AIDS awareness and education in Zimbabwe; and
	What steps they have taken, or intend to take, regarding programmes to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission and to provide assistance in the treatment of paediatric AIDS in Zimbabwe; and
	What is their response to UNICEF figures on the number of children who die of AIDS-related illness each week in Zimbabwe; and what plans they have to provide assistance.

Baroness Amos: AIDS is the biggest killer in Zimbabwe, causing an estimated 3,200 deaths per week. UNICEF estimates that every 20 minutes a child dies of AIDS. Three infants become infected with HIV every hour.
	DfID has provided considerable support to AIDS prevention activities in Zimbabwe for over a decade, including funding for condoms and behaviour change programmes, much of which has been implemented through NGOs. This has contributed to a significant drop in HIV prevalence, from 26 to 20.1 per cent. DfID also recently approved a £25 million contribution to a UNICEF programme providing economic and social support to orphans and other vulnerable children in Zimbabwe, delivered through NGOs. This will include HIV prevention work with young people.
	In addition, DfID is working closely with the UN and other donors, including the EC, to expand the response to HIV and AIDS. Zimbabwe has one of the lowest levels of antiretroviral treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. The new programme, currently in design, aims to expand access to HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment for Zimbabweans, including for mothers and children who are infected. This should both reduce both the number of orphaned children and the appalling death toll of children. No funding will be provided directly to the Government of Zimbabwe.